Setting the Tone

Create a welcoming environment.

If this is a group of people who do not necessarily know each other very well, you will especially want to create a welcoming, comfortable environment. For example, Pastor Fetterhoff suggests that you have pleasurable music in the background when they arrive. She suggests you might have some snack food immediately available. Getting food is a great way for small talk to start and for people to begin getting to know each other better.

Good communication is very important.

So much of life would go much more smoothly with good communication. For example, make sure everyone knows the details of the meeting in advance… in other words, not just the day of the meeting. Do they need to bring something, for example? Where can they park?

Don’t assume that people will come if you last talked to them two weeks ago. Even if you talked to everyone on Sunday, a text to remind everyone the day of the meeting wouldn’t hurt: “Looking forward to seeing everyone tonight.” But they should know the details well before the day of.

We are all different people, and most of us are very busy. Don’t judge. Communicate. This is a voluntary activity! Some are phone people. Some are text people. You don’t need to guess which is best. Ask!

Fellowship is a thing.

On the first night especially, don’t dive immediately into the text. Build the relationships first. Pastor Fetterhoff mentions an ice breaker she did where everyone brought something from home. It was a way for everyone to get to know each other. In this day and age, you don’t have to come up with every idea yourself. Google ideas or ask ChatGPT or ClaudeAI for suggestions.

There is a certain personality that is all business–we’re here to study. Then there’s another personality that is all about people–it’s all about the fellowship. Ideally, your meetings will be a mix of both. The New Testament church modeled fellowship, AND they studied the Word together. Don’t assume your personality is the only right one. Balance is a good goal.